With Zephyr's arrival, Ross could finally undergo systematic training.
Zephyr had always been the finest instructor in the Marines. Now that he had become a CP0 instructor and studied CP0's training system, he was even more qualified.
After all, the CP0 Training Class could turn Lucci into a Yonko Commander in two years. Kaku could probably even go toe-to-toe with Jack.
By that measure, the CP0 Training Class was only slightly worse than Teacher Kaido's crash course, but far superior to people like Rayleigh and Garp.
With such an excellent teaching staff and an unlimited supply of training resources, even an ordinary person could quickly become strong.
Ross already had the foundation granted by the system, so his growth was even more explosive.
Just one month of practical special training had allowed Ross to stop relying solely on his status panel and truly gain the combat strength of a Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral.
That level of strength certainly could not be called powerful, but it was enough for him to barely protect himself.
"Master, that fruit still hasn't been approved."
Stella stood beside Ross with a somewhat dejected expression. After a month of nourishment and care, she had fully blossomed, her beauty several times greater than before.
And after so much time together, Ross had become increasingly accustomed to using her. He casually rewarded the Healing Fruit to Stella.
With the Healing Fruit, Stella could not only provide Ross with medical support during training, but also use the fruit to heal herself at night, allowing Ross to try even more variations.
At any rate, Ross felt that this fruit had absolutely been worth it.
"If it wasn't approved, forget it. Those old bastards are deliberately holding me back. Once I achieve something in this Buster Call, things will be different."
Ross sneered twice. Being denied resources like this still made him rather unhappy.
While looking through the World Government's treasury, he had spotted a fruit that he greatly desired.
He had killed quite a few Ability Users recently and had basically confirmed that special rewards would not grant abilities. At most, killing someone could directly yield a Devil Fruit.
Since that was the case, if he wanted a fruit for himself to eat, he still had to rely on the World Government.
Unfortunately, the fruit he wanted was too powerful. Even his grandfather refused to give it to him, much less the other Five Elders.
Even a Celestial Dragon had to prove his strength before obtaining a powerful fruit recognized by the Five Elders.
"Saint Ross, Sakazuki has arrived. The Buster Call preparations are complete. Once you arrive, you can lead the fleet out."
Zephyr entered the palace at that moment and looked at Ross with a grave expression.
The Buster Call on Ohara had been fully prepared. All that remained was for Ross to set out.
"I understand. Zephyr, Zany, I'm entrusting my safety to you this time."
"No problem!" Zephyr agreed readily.
"As you command!" Zany lowered her head slightly, her eyes utterly devoid of emotion.
Ross nodded in satisfaction, leisurely rising from the sofa and spreading his arms.
Stella obediently walked behind him and deftly removed his clothes.
Ross barely moved as he stood there. In just a minute, Stella efficiently dressed him in a well-tailored black suit and carefully draped a white cloak bearing the World Government emblem over his shoulders.
"Master, everything is ready."
Stella spoke softly as she gently adjusted Ross's collar, ensuring every part was immaculate. Once she finished, she bowed slightly and stepped aside.
"Since everything is ready, let's depart!"
Ross laughed heartily, wrapped an arm around Stella's slender waist, and strode toward the palace exit.
Zephyr and Zany followed behind him, one on each side.
The geography of the Pirate World was unique. The Red Line and the Grand Line ran vertically and horizontally, dividing the seas into four regions and creating the world's current layout.
The Grand Line itself was also split apart by the Red Line into a first half and a second half. Marine Headquarters was located in the first half, while the New World referred collectively to the second half.
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The Grand Line and the Four Blues were connected through the Calm Belt. Not only was there no wind there to propel sailing ships, but countless enormous Sea Kings lived there as well, making it impossible for ordinary vessels to pass through.
Therefore, if one wished to reach the Four Blues without passing through the Calm Belt, there were only two fastest routes.
One was to pass through Reverse Mountain at the beginning of the Grand Line and sail upstream back to the Four Blues.
The other was to travel through the artificial waterway carved through the Red Line, directly connecting the Four Blues with the front and rear halves of the Grand Line.
On the Red Line, the Holy Land Mariejois was the only city, and it was also the World Government's headquarters.
In other words, the entire Red Line was under the World Government's direct rule, and this artificial sea route could only be used with the World Government's permission.
As a Celestial Dragon, and with the Marines being a subordinate organization of the World Government, Ross naturally had the authority to use this route.
At the port of Mary Geoise, Ross met Sakazuki and his Vice Admiral's Warship.
"Commander!"
Sakazuki was a burly, tough-looking man over three meters tall, wearing a Marine cap. Even standing there, he seemed to radiate a scorching heat wave.
Sakazuki
Overall Rating: S-
Sakazuki did not care in the slightest about Ross's status as a Celestial Dragon. He merely nodded and addressed Ross by his Buster Call position.
He was only in his early thirties, right at the peak of his strength and energy. The World Government and the Marines already regarded him as a candidate for the next Admiral.
"Board the ship."
Ross nodded indifferently, with no intention of speaking much with Sakazuki.
Sakazuki was a pure hardline Marine. So long as it furthered his goal of wiping out all pirates, he would not hesitate to drag most civilians down with them.
A man like that had no personal feelings at all. No matter how close you were to him, if you obstructed his path, he would eliminate you.
Conversely, there was no need to become too emotionally attached to him. As long as you could help him on the path of eliminating pirates, he would become your best ally.
Sakazuki was decisive by nature. The moment the few of them boarded, the warship set off toward the West Blue.
At their speed, they would likely reach Ohara in four days.
Inside the warship's command room, Ross sat in the main seat. Stella and the female CP0 agent stood behind him, while Zephyr and Sakazuki sat below him on either side.
He had not brought many attendants this time. Aside from Stella, who handled his daily needs, only Zephyr and one CP0 agent accompanied him as protection.
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki, tell me the specific details of the Buster Call."
Ross had not participated in the internal discussions regarding the Buster Call before. He only knew that its target was the destruction of Ohara.
The Marines had clearly intended to use him only as a shield, with no need for him to participate in the details. But now that he was aboard the ship, he naturally wanted to hear the full plan.
"This operation will be led by Saint Ross as commander-in-chief, with former Admiral Zephyr serving as deputy commander. Vice Admiral Sakazuki, Vice Admiral Borsalino, Vice Admiral Kuzan, and Vice Admiral Akainu will accompany the fleet. The objective is to completely destroy Ohara, where the Tree of Knowledge is located, and eliminate all historians and informed individuals who may know the World Government's secret history."
Sakazuki spoke expressionlessly, his tone devoid of even the slightest emotional fluctuation.
It was as though destroying an island and killing everyone on it were nothing more than crushing a few ants.
"Zephyr, Kuzan, Borsalino, Sakazuki, Akainu..."
Hearing the lineup for this Buster Call, Ross sighed inwardly.
Four Admirals, along with a future veteran Vice Admiral—this lineup could easily erase Whitebeard.
However, he knew very well that this Buster Call was actually a large-scale test of obedience.
Only by passing this test would Sakazuki, Kuzan, and the others qualify to become Admirals.
The era had not yet descended into chaos. To become an Admiral, the most important factor was still loyalty to the World Government.
But the World Government likely had not expected that the one who appeared to contribute the most in this incident was actually a hidden traitor.
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